Today's dads are taking a more active role in raising their kids. Credit: Corbis

Today's new dads equate being a good father with "being there, being present, spending time and being accessible," and not with being a traditional "breadwinner," according to a new study released by the Boston College Center for Work and Family.

With Father's Day around the corner, these timely findings demonstrate a shift in men's attitudes about parenting and workplace commitment.

"Overall, our research found fathers who were deeply committed to care-giving and sharing the work as evenly as possible with their spouses," the authors write. "Men seem poised to embrace a new definition of fatherhood and to step up to the challenges and the rewards of parenting in a much fuller sense than was the case in the past."

Surprisingly, most fathers in the study reported their self-image at work increased in a positive way after having children, enhancing their reputation, credibility and even career options. However, the researchers found that most new fathers did not arrange formal flexible work schedules, as new mothers often do, even though the dads say they felt supported by their bosses with regard to work-life flexibility.

Instead, the authors report, these fathers used more informal, sometimes "stealth" approaches to balancing work and family issues.

Less surprisingly, the men studied said they were not prepared for how much work it takes to care of a young child. Yet, they said they choose to spend time with their children, frequently at the expense of personal activities they previously enjoyed. Often, their priorities changed to focus more on family and less on work, say the authors. And, in some cases, the men adjusted their career ambitions to take into account their "new responsibilities and joys."

It is clear that women have earned legitimacy in both the home and the workplace, as women comprise 50 percent of the U.S. workforce for the first time ever, the researchers say. In addition, they report that young women are less likely to take on the position of "accommodating spouse," placing their career aspirations second to those of their husbands, and are just as likely as men to seek jobs with greater responsibility. Differences in values from the baby boom generation to the current Millennial Generation also factor in here, according to the authors.

"In many studies, younger workers have placed a greater emphasis on autonomy and work-life balance than is the case with previous generations," the researchers explain. "One hypothesis is that the affluence that the youngest working generation has experienced has led to a greater emphasis on and concern for quality of life issues, as opposed to simply focusing on earnings and promotional opportunities as the most important determinants of success."

The shift in men's attitudes about parenting and workplace commitment is attributed in large part to these demographic, societal and generational factors, but the researchers emphasize that men have not experienced a similar revolution in terms of their role in the home and family sphere.

"The low number of stay-at-home fathers suggests that for a whole host of reasons, men's role as father, nurturer and caregiver is still not fully embraced in our society nor by the vast majority of employers," the authors say. "Fathers struggling to balance career aspirations with a focus on parenting, thereby finding legitimacy in both work and home spheres, may encounter 'paternal walls' not unlike the maternal walls working mothers have faced."

In conclusion, the researchers suggest the view of fatherhood in the workplace must change, as fathers increasingly take on an equal share of family responsibilities. They say employers need to see fatherhood as a more serious and time-consuming role and stop assuming that being a good father simply equates to being a good breadwinner.

"Men seem poised to embrace a new definition of fatherhood and to step up to the challenges and the rewards of parenting in a much fuller sense than was the case in the past," the authors say. "It is time we helped and encouraged them to do so."

Happy Father's Day: Celebrate With Hollywood's Hottest Dads!Happy Father's Day! These delicious dads certainly have a tough job, but someone has to do it! Today, we celebrate all the dads out there and their commitment to their little ones. Some of Hollywood's most attractive men successfully juggle their parenting roles and busy careers, while maintaining their extreme hotness! Stars like Channing Tatum, Mark Wahlberg, Matthew McConaughey and Chris Hemsworth all win the sexy dad award.

ReaderComments (Page 2 of 3)

As a stay at home Dad and primary family decision maker, I have to say it's all relative. Both partners have to be willing to play to their strengths and realize that is best for all involved. My wife works and handles the finances and I trust her to do so. I make most decisions regarding everything else and she generally goes along; if we disagree, we setttle it like adults, plain and simple.

She would not do well home with the kids full time but she is the craft/hobby/activity person in our household, all things I'm not interested in. Works for us, kids are happy, we're happy, that's the stuff that matters, not focusing on who does what and how it makes them feel.

Man to me it doesn't make a bit of difference who "brings home the bacon", but it bothers me when men let their women tell them what to do.It's sickening to me when I see or hear a woman "bossing" her huband. I don't blame the women at all here, I blame these punk-ass men!Marrige is 50/50 right? Men who let themselves be told what to do, or let their women be the "head of the house" ain't a man at all in my book. You're supposed to teach your sons how to be MEN not not "hen-peked" punks. Man...Damn!!

I honestly cannot believe what I am reading! Dads think they should spend more time with their children and that's a BAD thing? My parents divorced when I was very young. My mother moved 500 miles away, took me with her, and then I was given the choice of who to live with. I chose my father. I can't imagine trading the life experience of being raised by my father for anything! He not only supported me to where I never had to go without, but he also cooked for me, cleaned, planned my birthday parties, fixed my hair, taught me how to ride a bike, and spent genuine quality time with me EVERY night. My dad isn't perfect, but I can't imagine a mother doing a better job. Knowing I had a father (who could have chosen to be a very inactive parent) who loved and cared for me enough to do everything he did is an incredible experience. While I have a close relationship with both of my parents, my father and I still have a very special bond that I wouldn't trade for the world. I can only hope my future husband will be as dedicated a father as he was!

HA HA! It's SOOO hard to find a good dude nowadays! Personally I despise weak men, and seein dudes changin diapers and vacuuming the house makes them look weak to me. Sorry, if I wanted a chick to raise my kids I'd adopt one, and turn lesbian. I want a real man with a big pair, and let me tell ya, it ain't easy to find that kind anymore.

my husband is a super father to our kids. he's commited to the family we've created and he works hard to support us and allows me to be home with our toddlers. that's while he also uses one of his days off to always be at my chemo treatment with me. We are very blessed to have him and I wish that for all families because kids deserve no less than that. family should always be #1 priority.

Dawn, THANK YOU! This is EXACTLY what I was talking about. There is a definite role that the sexes naturally play in society. It is time for all this experimentation to stop. Our grandparents had it right. I love my kids, I spend time with them, I changed their diapers...BUT any "man" that is willing to stay at home EVERY DAY and clean and cook and shop instead of being a "hunter" in the work place is NOT a "man". It just can not and should not feel "right".Your eventual reaction is predictable, and NOT because your a "whore" or anything else. You as a woman knew what your role should have been and what his was.

My dad worked alot, 60-70hrs a week. Yet he taught me volumes! He made all the decisions, and he made us all feel safe. He didn't make huge money, but he made sure we were taken care of. I remember spending most of my time with him at church holding his hand. They were large hands and weathered and course with callouses, they felt like sand paper on my skin. He taught me how a woman should be treated, with respect and love. He worshipped my mom, and always claimed "Mom does all the real hard work around here". I have the greatest respect for him as a father and a man, and no, he never changed a diaper or washed a single dish in his life. Go figure.

Sounds like role-reversal to me. Is it possible for men to be more involved with their children without giving up the title of "breadwinner"? I think a huge part of being a good father is being a good husband. If a man's sole focus is on his children and/or breadwinning then he loses focus on why he became a "family man" in the first place. His wife made him a father and if he loses focus on his wife then, ultimately the relationship will lead to divorce and the only title he will have will be 'father of a broken home'. The same goes for wives who need to support their husbands. Women, by nature are nurturers and typically (traditionally) are the ones taking care of home and are attracted to her strong husband. If a wife feels her husband losing strength via image and duties then she will lose the attraction. I can't imagine a man feeling good about himself watching his wife leave for work as she tells him what needs to be done and what's been authorized for spending. I imagine he loses respect for himself and she loses respect for him. If both parties are honest with themselves and that's the way they want to go then more power to them. But, I am hearing more and more about women who are unhappy being the breadwinner. I personally have no desire to support a grown man financially. Fortunately, my blessing is that I have a REAL MAN who provides for his family and spends time with the children and myself. We make time for one another. I know women who've told me their husbands prefer not to work and they feel resentful for having to support their husbands and carry the financial burden. I know one who went through a divorce and is not only paying alimony but also child support. What's happened to our men when they can sit back and be content with someone else providing for them? I think today's male needs to step up his testosterone game and stop acting like an effiminate male and become the real man he was slated to be.

It is ridiculous to say that dads of the past loved their kids less, they fought world wars and worked 16 hours a day in the fields. They simply had a different role then. In the 60s and 70s the man's role was emasculated by the peace and women's lib movement.The 80s and 90s we made it bad to be a hard working capitalist. Now we say "work smarter not harder" as an excuse to be lazy and self entitled.

Men in past generations weren't really allowed to play a large role in parenting. Women were proud to be mothers and wives and not worry about having a "career". Now days women are often not "women" they are spoiled girls who can't or won't cook, sew, or many of the things our moms could do.That, and a lousy economy, unemployment, and a growing laziness in our men who'd rather stay home and play video games or watch porn are the reason men are in the home more now. I have seen my male employees cheerfully quit their jobs to stay home and live off their wives and parents. What kind of parenting is that? Setting bad examples.

To find a real man today is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Too many males today are concerned with their looks and acting more like women then they are about being real men to take care of their women and children. It's interesting how the more we encourage sexual freedoms and "do what you want to if it feels good" in this country the more homosexuality increases and real men decrease.

momof3 your comment made absolutely no sense. You are confusing two different types of sexuality. Gender roles and sexual preference are two different things. A mans sexuality has little to do with how much of a "man" he is in terms of being mentally strong, a good role model, and a good provider. I know homosexual men who are breadwinning, devoted fathers, and loyal, dedicated men. I know heterosexual men who's only sign they have a y chromosone is they like porn, burgers, and videogames; but other than that they are spoiled, lazy, can't keep a job, and are only dads when it is convenient to them.

Sorry to all you people that says the man should be the "breadwinner"...the reality is many times both partners have to work in order for the family to survive nowadays. What about households where BOTH partners HAVE to work just to have a decent income?? Should men not bother with any of the child rearing stuff (ie. diaper changing, feeding)? It seems to me that it should be equal sharing of responsibilities, should it not??

my baby daddy don't do jack and they don't pay jack i gots 5 kidz and dey don't pay jack i gotta do all da work and don't have no fun no mo can't go out and kick it or nutin dey go hav fun i gots to stay home i wana no ware i can find me a man dat stay home wit dez kidz and pay fo dez kidz so i can go hav me fun to daz wat i wana no men is all bums

g said "the woman does get left with the children 9 times out of 10" What, are they dogs or something ... does get left with? I feelfor your children if you have any. Men are no wussies and thiscountry is not socialistic ... those of us that CHOOSE to participateas I can say the same for the Mothers that CHOOSE to participate,enjoy raising children to its fullest. What they need to study isthe serious problem of women walking away from their children at analarming rate. Men have always been criticized because "we don't havethe maternal feelings like women do" ... hey if walking away fromyour children is "maternal" then I’m surely glad I don't have it. Ifeel men are just realizing that's it's OK to bath your child or readthem a night time book without feeling that society looks at like wehave two heads. It disgusts me to hear a woman say that a man’s placeis in the yard and a woman's is in the house. Wake up people ... ittakes a village to raise a child "both men and women".

My dad never took me to practice at school. I had to find a ride and that taught me to decide if it's something I really wanted to do.My dad never read books to me, yet he had a huge library and read voraciously himself and that taught me to appreciate the value of reading.My dad never gave me a bath, or changed my diapers and I don't feel unloved at all for that.My dad didn't buy everything I wanted, and that taught me to earn my own way.My dad didn't cook a single meal, yet we all felt safe and cared for with a roof over our heads and food to prepare with.My dad didn't do any of the things society demands on men today, and I have nothing but respect and love for my father. He taught me to be independent, secure and confident in myself and to respect others. Exactly, what was so wrong with what this great man did for me?

Hate to say it, but I'm offended by the new "breed" of fathers. I'm very happy that they want to take an active role in their children's lives, but they, in my experience, are extremely unwilling to bend or flex with workload. If mom leaves work to get the sick kids, dad does NOT also need to go home for the day. Dad does NOT need 8 weeks of paternity leave (they do it though, with pay). Both mom and dad don't need to be at every soccer game at 4 pm on a Tuesday. I'm just saying that if you want the role of dad in cheif, then stop expecting the rest of us to bend to YOUR schedule or to pick up the slack and stay late so you can feel good about your daddy decisions. If you do do that, please take a pay cut so the rest of us can move ahead of you in line.

I was thrust into the Mr. mom role...and I gotta be honest here.....I LOVE IT!!! I anticipated it being very difficult, truth is....it's TOTALLY EASY!! We have 2 kids and I do it ALL. The laundry, the appointments, the meals the house cleaning...yup, I do it all. The wife has a kick butt job, and rolls the money in. I have more free time then I EVER had in my life. Why any dude wouldn't want this gravy lifestyle, is beyond me...peice a cake.